The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-07-30

would make a fair, clean copy and |
send TO his associate. But before doing |
so he opened another letter which had |
come from the post-ofIice that morning.
1t was from his elder brother, Tom. |
..Dear john" it said. "Do you know
anything Of that volume of Tasso had
at your place last summer? 1t was pre-
sented to me by the late Rev. DIR. Nc
Rae, and was annotated by him in his
own hand. His biographers wish to
use the book in preparing forthcom-
ing history of his life. If you can find
it, please send it to me at once"
With guilty feeling John recollect-
ed that he had left the work with the
charming Mile Payson, who had cast
SO strong a spell over him during the
summers outing. I'm write for it,"
he thought, and little thrill of joy
flooded his heart as he recognized the
value of the opportunity. 1t made
what Stuart had urged, grand sex
cuse" for beginning a correspondence.
He had scarcely realized, until now,
how he longed for some word from the
hand of the girl he so much admired.
Turning to his desk, he wrote two
letters-one to Mile Payson, three
sheets Con one side only, for he was
Hterateur now), and the other to Stuart
Claire, composed of the missing page
and an explanatory note. BY brisk
walk lie was just able to deposit them
in the postal car of the Chicago ex-
press as it moved from the Windham
station.
Twenty-four hours later two scenes
of interest to us are being simultane-
ously acted. One is at Beloit,, in
scantily-furnished Office, before whose
door creaks tin sign, inscribed: STU
art Claire, Attorney-at-Law."
The embryo Erskine and prospective
Dumas is handling a package of manu-
script written partly in John Rowland
feminine chirography and partly in his
own well-nigh illegible scrawl At last
he stops, extracts a few leaves, takes
from an envelope single sheet, slips
it between the others, and reads:
"Allyn Germaine watched the fitting fairy.
the arbor Then he threw himself into kneel-
ing posture, and broke forth Darling, you
know have given in your care piece OF port
able property belonging TO another. Do you re-
member the small volume OF Tasso gave you
one day when we were searching for lilies in the
crystal covcs OF Bluff Island! The book was a
present to my brother, and contained some au-
tograph marginal notes by an eminent divine.
Hence, 1t is asked for by the biographers OF the
reverend gentleman. will give you new vol
ume, and request that you return to me your copy.
/ regret the necessity of this: but you will not
care, while am under an obligation, you see
to produce the work which 1 had purloined.
Speak, darling but Geneva turned like
frightened fawn, and ran swiftly through the
shrubbery to the house."
The lawyer is puzzled and annoyed
by the tame, spiritless climax, and
audibly apostrophizes his literary col
league in no measured terms. Then
he lays by the manuscript and leaves
the office.
The second scene is performed in the
palatial home of Judge Payson, at
Clairmont. A tall, fair girl, with
peach-blow cheeks and ruddy lips, is
holding to the light letter bearing the
postmark "Windham. Having given
the missive shake, she tears the
envelope and turns, woman-like, to the
signature. A delicate flush lights up
her face as she recognizes the name of
her Sodus Bay friend. With eager
eyes she scans the first page:
"WINDHAM, Nov. 80, 1884.
"MY DEAR Miss PAYSoN: You may be sur
| prised to hear from me- your casual acquaint
| ance at Sodus Bay, but l think have good
excuse for taking the time you will spend in
reading this episte. The days we passed to-
| gether last summer seem fated to haunt me;
| for, besides enrichening my thoughts with
| pleasant memories and my body with treasures
OF good health, they are forcibly recalled by the
| fact that left -"
The leaf is slipped behind, and the
flush that has tinged her face deepens
as she whispers to herself the words
that follow:
my heart in your keeping Since the day we
| first met down by the moaning sea the vision Of
| your face has shown from every sky and your
| name has fioated to me upon every breeze
| True, firm and lasting the eternal purple
peaks that hold their mighty heads heavenward
| is my love for you. And believe that in your
heart Of hearts there turks q love as strong as
mine. Give me one syllable of promise. Tell
| me yes that you return my passion yes that
| you Will NC MY WIG. II yOu w uot, all HBnt
that illumines my soul will have faded and left
me desolate."
Another leaf is transferred, and she
reads on to the end:
"Time is passing pleasantly here. am de-
| voting my leisure to literary work. Will pub
fish book about February.
II may be able to get down to call on you at
the holidays. OF course, shall be pleased to
hear from you.
VERY sincerely,
| JOHN ROWLAND"
"a cold closing" she thinks; but,
after all, there was warmth enough in
the letter. With quick steps she seeks
the security of her own room. There
she rereads the precious missive; and,
so far from feeling resentment, takes
from its box her choicest stationery,
and writes, with many corrections and
blots, letter which, on the following
day, greatly startles young barrister
at Windham.
Startles him so much, indeed, that
he telegraphs to Stuart Claire:
"Come up on noon train; strong rea-
sons"
Stuart obeys; and when the friends
have reached Howland's Office asks,
with considerable asperity: what is
up now?"
up nowP' is the reply. Every
thing is up. just read that letter,
and tell me if l am losing my senses u
SLOWLY, emphatically, and with as
judicial an air as he can assume, Stuart
proceeds:
"CLAIRMoNr, Dec. 1, 1884.
my DEAR Mr. Rowland. Like you have
not forgotten the pleasant days spent at Sodu.
Bay nor was displeased 70 receive a message
from one whose presence did SO much to make
those days enjoyable
II was, however surprised to receive so sud
den a declaration of love from you. Twas no
prepared.
1T seems to me that my answer had bette
be postponed awhile-at least until you have
met my father shall be pleased to have yol
call upon me at any time,
your sincere friend,
MILE"
The reader paused, and prolonged
i II Al +.